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Take me out to the ballgame

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April 11, 2011

By: Jeremy Zoss

Jeremy Zoss

Are you planning on catching a Twins game at Target Field for the first time this year? If you didn’t make it to the stadium in the inaugural season, you may have questions about how to get the most out of your visit. There are several factors to consider, such as how to get tickets, how to get to the field and what to see once you get there. After all, there’s a lot more going on at Target Field than just the game itself!

First, you’ll need tickets. The recommended method is to purchase your tickets online at twinsbaseball.com. Tickets are available at a wide variety of price points, with the average ticket selling for $31.47 last season. There are tickets available for well below (or above) that price, so ask yourself what sort of experience you’d like to have at the game before you purchase.

Any tickets purchased online can be printed at home for no additional cost. For a paper-free option, you can even have your ticket sent to your smartphone. For now, the mobile ticket option is available on the iPhone and most Blackberry devices and soon on Android phones.

Once you’ve secured your tickets, it’s time to plan your trip to the ballpark. The Twins website offers up information and planning tools on the various ways to reach the park. Target Field claims to be the most “multi-modal” stadium in Major League Baseball, easily accessible by car, bicycle, public transit or on foot. If you’re coming from a distance, the Twins recommend public transit — the light rail and Northstar Commuter Rail stop right at the stadium. If you’re driving, you’ll find almost 7,000 spaces in the adjacent parking ramps and even more spots within a few blocks of the stadium. Expect to pay about $15 to park during a game.

Once you arrive at Target Field, there’s plenty to see along with the game. Outside on Target Plaza, you’ll see statues of Twins legends, the flagpole from the old Met Stadium, the giant Golden Glove sculpture and several other attractions. Inside the park are sights like the 5,800-square-foot HDTV scoreboard, the original Twins logo celebration sign at center field and Major League Baseball’s only firepit up on the Budweiser Roof Deck. The field also houses the Twins’ World Series trophies, a collection of Twins memorabilia and much more.

Of course, a trip to the ballpark isn’t complete without special events and merchandise. The Twins Majestic Clubhouse Store is located next to gate 29 and features 4,800 square feet of Twins gear. Unlike much of Target Field, it’s open year round.

Most home games feature a promotional giveaway, event or attraction. Giveaways scheduled for this season include small items like magnetic schedules, a variety of Twins hats and even utilitarian objects like fishing lures and light bulbs. Most promotions are limited to the first 5,000–10,000 fans so if you want free stuff, make sure you can get to the park early. Or you can sign up for one of the many Twins-related contests that pop up during the season. For example, 26 kids between the ages of 8 and 16 will win tickets, hot dogs and the chance to announce the Twins batting lineup, courtesy of official Twins hot dog brand Schweigert.

—Transit optionsFor more information about transportation options to Target Field, go to minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/transportation/index.jsp